by Marion Howard-Healy
How did that happen?
Having some spare time, I wondered how I could volunteer locally. What to do? The Romney Marsh Community Hub came to mind. After an initial inquiry, I was directed to the website and saw the Hub was looking for Trustees. Thinking my business skills might be useful, I applied. Having successfully passed the interview procedures with Chairman, CEO and other Trustees, in March 2024 I was welcomed to my first Trustee Meeting.
This was something new
There is a lot to learn, like understanding what terms like ‘Governance’, ‘Risk’ or ‘Safeguarding’ mean in the context of running a Charitable organisation – but there’s plenty of guidance on the Charity Commission’s website along with first-rate training webinars provided by Kent Volunteer Partnership.
What do you need in order to volunteer as a Trustee of a Charity?
Short answer – give of yourself. Contribute your time, your skills and expertise, be prepared to work hard and understand your responsibilities to help guide the Charity in the best way you think possible; apply the wealth of your life experience to the issues you discuss with fellow Trustees, together with a good amount of listening, understanding and common sense.
Key things I’ve been involved with as a Trustee
I was fortunate to join at a time when the Trustees were planning the Romney Marsh Community Hub’s forthcoming 50th Golden Anniversary celebrations for 2025 and discussing a five-year Strategic Plan for 2025 -2029. Together with other Trustees, a considerable number of hours were spent working on this Plan during the Summer of 2024. It was published in October 2024 – copies are available! This was followed by a series of interactive Workshops with staff, volunteers and some of our stakeholders, outlining the strategic plan, gaining feedback and defining next actions. Work continues…with our specific focus on the ‘Wellbeing of the over 50’s’. In addition to our regular Trustee meetings, there’s been happy conversations with Hub clients and participation in community events like the D-Day Celebration Lunch, Christmas Lunch and the Christmas and Spring Fayres.
What I’ve learned about RMCH as a Trustee
The scope of the Hub’s activities is much more than I first realised. All the essential services that Romney Marsh Community Hub offers: information and advice services, wellbeing classes, various medical, health, caring and bereavement support groups; the main Hub’s café with meals and activities; the automated Launderette; our Sunflower charity shops in New Romney and Rye – as well as our latest additions of The Hub on The Beach café at Greatstone and the Marsh Bee transport service to medical appointments. Then there is working together with other voluntary organisations, Primary Care Networks and Social Prescribers on the Romney Marsh. The list is impressive.
Even more impressive, however, is the quality and dedication of RMCH’s Staff and Volunteers. They work hard daily to make the Hub a place of trust and friendship. Their commitment, compassion, kindness to Hub clients and a willingness to ‘go the extra mile’ time and again is truly impressive!
Thinking about it, our Romney Marsh Community Hub sunflower logo is well-chosen, with seeds of goodness at the heart of the sunflower and petals radiating encouragement and support to all who need it across the Romney Marsh.